Library

“A New Ending” John 21 Rev. Terry Lester April 14, 2024

“An Honest Doubter” John 20: 19-31 Rev. Jack Brewer April 7, 2024

“Traveling with Jesus: The Road with Hope” Luke 24:1-12 Rev. Terry Lester March 31, 2024

“We Tell the Story” Mark 14:17-66:72 Rev. Terry Lester and Rev. J. T. Silence Maundy Thursday March 28, 2024

“Traveling with Jesus: Suffering with Jesus” Isaiah 53:1-6, Luke 23:33-49 Palm Sunday, Hosanna to God, Hosanna in the highest! Rev. Terry Lester March 24, 2024

“Traveling with Jesus; Teaching with Jesus” II Timothy 3:14-17, Luke 19:47-48 Rev. Terry Lester March 10, 2024 (There was a technical glitch at the beginning of this service, but Children’s Time and the sermon are intact.)

“Traveling with Jesus: Worshipping with Jesus” Malachi 3:1-4, Rev. Terry Lester, Feb. 25, 2024

““Traveling with Jesus; Weeping with Jesus”“ Part 2 Luke 19:41-44, Luke 23:26-32 Rev. Terry Lester Feb. 18, 2024

“Traveling with Jesus; Weeping with Jesus” Part 1 Luke 19:41-44, Luke 23:26-32 Rev. Terry Lester Feb. 18. 20

“Traveling with Jesus; Weeping with Jesus” Luke 19:41-44, Luke 23:26-32 Rev. Terry Lester Feb. 18, 2023

“Faithfulness” Psalm 111, Matthew 13: 1-9 Rev. John Odom, Mid-KY Presbytery Jan. 28, 2024http://

“The Call” Mark 1:14-20, Jonah 3: 1-10 Rev. Jack Brewer Jan. 21, 2024

“Your Home Town” John 1:43-41 Rev. Jack Brewer, Jan.14, 2024

“Quitters Never Win” II Corinthians 4:1 Rev. Jack Brewer Jan. 7, 2024

“A Prayer for Lonely People” Psalm 25: 16-18, Matthew 27: 45-46 Rev. Terry Lester, Dec. 31, 2023 YouTube

“A Prayer for Lonely People” Psalm 25: 16-18, Matthew 27: 45-46 Rev. Terry Lester, Dec. 31, 2023 Facebook

“Making Room for Jesus” Luke 2: 1-20 Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service Rev. Terry Lester, December 24, 2023

“Finding Joy” Isaiah 35:1-10 The Advent Candle of Joy Rev Terry Lester, SFPC Interim Pastor, December 17, 2023

“A Call to Comfort and Hope” The Advent Candle of Hope Isaiah 40:1-5 Rev. Terry Lester, SFPC Interim Pastor, December 3, 2023

“Hungry for What” Isaiah 58:1-12 Revhttps://www.youtube.com/live/pX1EgSfPIYU?si=2oSVJpA-QdHJ9WX9. Terry Lester, SFPC Interim Pastor November 12, 2023

“A House Called Glory” Exodus 33:12-23, I Thessalonians 1:1-10 Rev. Terry Lester, SFPC Interim Pastor October 22, 2023

“The Cries of Violence” Genesis 4:1-16 Rev. Terry Lester, SFPC Interim Pastor November 26, 2023

“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14 Rev. Jack Brewer October 15, 2023

“The Cornerstone” Matthew 21:33-46, Philippians 3:4b-14 Rev. Jack Brewer October 8, 2023

“God’s Peace” Philippians 4:4-9 Rev. Marian Taylor says goodbye in her farewell sermon to the congregation. The service was full of beautiful music from the organ, choir, steel drums and Pastor Marian herself. There was joy, laughter and tears as Marian challenged the congregation to continually care for one another, love the community with all kinds of people and share the gospel with the same kind of hospitality the church has been doing. Invite others to feel God’s peace with you. September 24, 2023

“Inviting Commitment” Deuteronomy 30:15-20 At the heart of God there is relationship and commitment, and when we show we know that’s important, others want to be part of it, too. September 17, 2023

“Emphasizing Both Justice and Mercy” Luke 1:46-55 This congregation has a long history of meeting basic human needs, and has done it unconditionally. This is done automatically without trying to sort out who is deserving, who has had an injustice done to them, who might not be deserving, but can receive mercy. A number of effort to look at underlying social issues have added a dimension to this longstanding commitment. They are aligned with the PCUSA’s Matthew 25s movement, which tries to address systemic causes of social ills such as poverty and racism. September 10, 2023

“Thinking Developmentally about Christian Formation” Ephesians 4:11-16 Being “saved” is not just singular, pivotal moments in time, but often about steadily opening ourselves to growth in accordance with our age and experience. Growth is part of God’s delight. September 3, 2023

“Asking Questions of the Bible” Psalm 1, John 16: 12-15 When we equip ourselves with the time-tested tools of biblical scholarship and study, we find that even our most seemingly impertinent questions can be asked. August 27, 2023

“Connecting with God’s Bigger Plan” Ephesians 1:15-23 We are a connectional church. August 20, 2023

“God Provides” 2 Kings 4:42-44, Matthew 14: 13-21 Our guest minister was Rev. James Garrett. August 6, 2023

“Onoma-God’s Reputation” Romans 2:21b-24, John 17 6, 25-26 The Greek word for “name” is onoma. That’s where we get a word like “taxonomy”, the distribution of things into named categories. As God’s ambassadors, we carry or fail to carry God’s good name, or reputation. We are classified and names “Christians”. What does that ask of those who bear such a name? June 30, 2023

Blessed Results Galatians 5:22-25, John 15:1-5 Fruition is an essential mark of God’s presence. From the Garden of Eden story to the parables of Jesus and beyond, we are treated to images of the fruitfulness God desires. The purpose of faith and of the church is not merely to become perfect in ourselves but to be a blessing in the world. To embrace that fact is often called “missional” and “ecumenical”. Living the wholeness of this life, we leave history and its timing to God in hopes that we will be found faithful. June 25, 2023

El Roi-God’s Gaze Genesis 16: 15-13, 21:9-21 Hagar and her son Ishmael went through terrible times and despaired, but came to understand that God saw and heard it all and would provide for them. Hagar is the only woman in the Bible to give God a name, El Roi, which means, “God sees me”. Pastor Marian will connect God’s compassionate gaze to the topic of suicide. July 9, 2023

“Blessed Togetherness” I Corinthians 13:4-10, Luke 10:1-6 The challenge would be too much for anyone acting alone, of course. That is why God gives us the local and universal church, the Holy Spirit, and life in the wider community. We need each other to be fellow students in what Calvin called “a school of love”, where we learn the skills and attitudes to follow Christ well while being tested and mentored more often than we might like! June 18, 2023

“Blessed Bodies” I Corinthians 6:19-20, Matthew 15:32-37 In the second of this series of sermons based on my own statement of faith, I address the importance of our bodies, God’s incarnation, and the physical world God blessed as “good”. June 11, 2023

“Blessed Minds and Hearts” Philippians 2:12-13, Luke 24:28-35 As a young preacher’s kid, I felt i should have the right answers “about God” in my Sunday School classes. Later, when I was in 10th grade I had an experience when praying in which I knew that I was in relation with the very God about whom I’d learned. My biblical and theological tradition suddenly came together with direct worshipful experience. To know about God, and to know God – these belong together. June 4, 2023

“Poured Out” Acts 2:1-21 On Pentecost we see God’s extravagance in the act of “pouring out” the Spirit and God’s impartiality in pouring on “all flesh”. May 28, 2023

“Greater Things to Come” Acts 1:1-11 Jesus could only be in one place, but God’s Holy Spirit could help all who love God everywhere. So Jesus departed from earth after spending some time encouraging his followers. He promised great spiritual events would follow, and they have and they will again. We live in anticipation but we also live knowing that God doesn’t want us to wait to live in God’s ways – now is also God’s time. May 21, 2023

“Given a Live with God” I Peter 3:13-22 God’s grace lets us have a clear conscience so we can enjoy God forever. Our vitality as a congregation flows from having this relationship as our source of refreshment, direction and witness. May 14, 2023

“Ransomed for Righteousness” I Peter 2:19-25, Deuteronomy 15:1-5 A righteous way of life has to reflect God’s enormous heart for people living in poverty, however difficult that may be. April 30, 2023

“Given a Voice for Mercy” I Peter 2: 2-10 God has built us into a people (with Jesus as the cornerstone) and our defining experience as a people is the experience of God’s mercy. Mercy should also be our defining characteristic, and the message we take to the world. This is one of the marks of being a vital congregation and the Matthew 25 movement encourages vitality. May 7, 2023

“Liberated for Love” I Peter 1:17-23 Why racism is anti-Christian Rev. Marian Taylor April 13, 2023

“Our Inheritance” I Peter 1:3-9 Guest pastor: Rev. Jack Brewer April 16, 2023

“Goodness Is Stronger Than Evil” Luke 24: 1-12 Love is stronger than hate; light is stronger than darkness; life is stronger than death. Victory is ours, through God who loves us! A central image from the Easter story is the rock rolled away from the tomb, a symbol of the liberating power of what God id for us in Jesus. April 9, 2023

“Caught Unprepared” Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Luke 22:14-23:56 Parts of the Holy Week story will be read. The children will hear about Luke 19:28-40. The children will take part in the opening procession with the palm branches. There is a lot of music including the bell choir. Friends of Jesus did all the things good people did on the Jewish Sabbath and then had to rest while the tumultuous events of the week swirled in their minds. They didn’t know that something really new was about to happen. April 2, 2023

“Unclaimed Aspiration” Ezekiel 37:1-14, John 11:14-27 God is the source of newness of life in situations where newness of life looks impossible. Like a runner getting a “second wind”, we can receive God’s Spirit through faith in Jesus, as Martha had faith. How does it help us spiritually, to ask for that life when it seems beyond reach? March 26, 2023

“Unseen Anointing” I Samuel 16:4-13, John 9: 16-27 We often don’t see ourselves or other people the way God does, as having something special to offer. We can even be like the people who didn’t want to see it in Jesus. How does it help us spiritually, to see anointment where it truly is? March 19, 2023

“Unearned Abundance” Exodus 17:1-7, John 4:31-38 In the desert, there was a source of water no beneficiary put there. In ministry, Jesus pointed to fields ripe for harvest that were planted by others. How does it help us spiritually, to take stock of the gifts and opportunities God provides freely? March 12, 2023

“Going Places” Genesis 12:1-4, John 3:1-17 Guest minister: Rev. Jim Garrett March 5, 2023

“Where Are You Now?” John 11:32-44 Where are you in the Covid experience? Are you back in the full embrace of community? Is there still a pandemic going on, for you? Or is there one that has passed but that you still need to talk about? February 26, 2023

“God’s Spirit: Revealing” John 16: 4-15 In the intimacy of prayer and in give and take with fellow believers, God’s spirit leads us to the truth about God and about ourselves, including guidance and courage to act as God’s ambassadors. February 19, 2023″

“God’s Spirit: Refreshing” Ephesians 5:18, John 7: 37-38 Jesus promised “living water” and on Pentecost it was “poured” as had been prophesied. Our experience of God’s love and power in includes not only our logical minds but also our capacity for joy and thanksgiving. February 5, 2023

“God’s Spirit: Reforming” Acts 15:1-2, 6-23a We don’t want to change, so God helps us by drawing us across the lines we’ve drawn. A famous story about that was when Peter visited a man named Cornelius who didn’t obey Jewish rules, and discovered that God loved Cornelius just as much. The church had to change its rules because of that. February 12, 2023

“Getting Evicted” Genesis 3:14-24 About the necessity to leave the Eden but God’s providence for us anyway, possibly capped off with Holy Communion as a reminder that after all we’ve been invited in the New Creation. January 29, 2023

“Usurping God” Genesis 3: 1-13 About the desire to be something other than God intended and supplanting God January 22, 2023

“Birthing Partnership” Genesis 1: 26-31, Genesis 2: 15-25 About the mutuality and closeness before sin entered in. January 15, 2023

“Exercising Dominion” Genesis 1: 26-31, Genesis 2: 5-15 A way to talk about our stewardship role in relation to creation. January 8, 2023

“Dreams” Matthew 2: 13-23 An angel appears to Joseph January 1, 2023

“A Great Light” A candlelight service full of scripture and carols. Communion will be served. December 24, 2022

“Who’s Hosting?” Luke 2: 1-14 We become aware that we are not in control, but rather God is. December 18, 2022

“Who’s Included? Luke 1:46b-55, Psalm 146: 5-10 Humans use gates to keep some people out, but when Mary sang her song of praise we call the “Magnificat”, she rejoiced that God’s inclusiveness welcomes the very people the world often shuts out. December 11, 2011

“What to Make Right?” Matthew 3: 1-12 If we know we may not be coming back from a trip we have to think about what matters need to get settled. In addition to a last will and testament we might think about who will take care of our pets, or with whom we should make up from a quarrel, or to whom we should apologize or reaffirm our love? December 4, 2022

“What to Pack?” Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13: 11-14 The idea is that change requires us to keep some things and not others. We have to leave behind war, for instance, and a whole host of other behaviors like jealousy. November 27, 2022

“Witness Prep” Luke 21: 2-19 This is about cosmic powers and uncertain timing, but “I will give you words and wisdom.” November 13, 2022

“Savior, from Manger to Cross” Luke 23:33-43 from Zechariah to the taunts on the cross … Jesus is seen as king and savior. Communion November 20, 2022

“Children of Resurrection” Luke 20: 27-38 Jesus teaches about resurrection (eternal life) when Sadducees try a trick question. November 6, 2022

“Children of Abraham” Luke 19:1-10 Dinner with Zacchaeus A child of Abraham is a blessing to the whole world. October 30, 2022

“Self Righteousness or Humility” Luke 18: 9-14 Humility and grace verses judgmentalism. Rev. Jack Brewer October 23, 2022

“God and the Ripped-Off” Luke 18:1-8 God cares about people who are treated unjustly- the case of the Widow and unjust judge. October 16, 2022

“God and the Despised” Luke 17: 11-19 God cares about foreigners – the case of the ten lepers who were healed but only the Samaritan foreigner thanked Jesus. October 9, 2022

“Can You Skip the Credits” Luke 17: 5-10 Wanting credit and thrills; we’ll be tempted away from humility October 2, 2022

“Can You Share” Luke 16:19-31 Hogging and ignoring; the offensive table of the rich man Lazarus symbolizes the callousness of eating in front of a hungry person September 25, 2022

“Can You Be Trusted?” Luke 16: 1-13 Cheating and lying; you cannot serve God and wealth; what does faithful stewardship require of Us? September 18, 2022

“Ambulance Work” Luke 15:1-10 The parable of the lost sheep (You may want to leave the many to seek the ones in greatest danger; joy of recovery and return, sinners v righteous).

“Away, Onlookers!” Luke 14:25-33 The cost of disciple ship (be able to finish, trust that with God you will, though the cost be great) September 4, 2022

“Dinner Guests” Luke 14: 1-14 Rev. Jack Brewer August 28, 2022

“Standing Up Straight” Luke 13:10-17 Rev. Steve Pace August 21, 2022

“Borderlands” Mark 1:35-45 Rev. Laurie Kraus, Director of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Associate Mission Director, Compassion, Peace and Justice August 14, 2022

“Healthy Vigilance” We can be caught “off guard” by both good and evil. Sometimes people are hyper-vigilant and thus miss out on a lot of joy and peace. Jesus is not asking that of us, but something more like a kind of mindfulness that assumes and looks for blessings, and takes seriously enough the dangers of sin to keep the guard rails in good shape. August 7, 2002

“How Much Is Enough?” There are plenty of reasons to save up, including life expectancy and wanting to give something to descendants and loved ones. But if you were asked to calculate how much it enough, do you have an idea what you’d say? If you end up having half that amount, are you “rich” enough “toward God” to be content anyway? July 31, 2022

“The Perfect Giver” Because life in this world is pretty tough, we often develop the implicit posture of people who think God might give us something that is not good, or withhold what is good. Jesus, who walked this tough road with us, challenged that posture head-on. And in the end it was his own self-giving that showed us he was right. July 24, 2022

LIBRARY

“Become the Shalom!” Rev. Elisa Owen, guest minister of Interfaith Power and Light, preached that the cross of Christ shows us that God’s mercy may yet spare us from the worst consequences of refusing to live in shalom, which is to say in right relations with God, the Earth and each other. July 17, 2022

“The Holy Host” Being vulnerable as guests was central to Jesus’ missionary strategy. In spite of our wealth, we can imitate his ways through spiritual disciplines. July 10, 2022

“Jesus Was No Elijah” The sermon focuses on the disciples’ urge for revenge and Jesus’ rebuke. Is there some group you’ve been wanting to wipe away? Listen here! June 26, 2022

“Emancipation Proclaimed” When Jesus exorcised the Gerasene’s demons it frightened and disrupted his society but Jesus asked him to stay and persist in proclaiming what had been done for him by God’s power. How appropriate for us to think about that on the day that marks the last enslaved Americans finding out about Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. June 19, 2022

Tethered to the Trinity Awkward as it is to talk about one God while embracing the deity of Jesus, it’s what tethers us and faith traditions that move away from trinitarianism simply drift out of sight. June 12, 2022

“Let Us All Our Songs Employ” Many prophecies in the Bible are written like songs and became hymns. Our songs are our prophetic utterances even today. What are yours? What do you sing to comfort or challenge yourself or others, to give the big picture of God in the world? June 5, 2022

“Change the Script” Act strictly in accord with God’s will, and you will do things that lead the world to believe that Jesus was sent by God. That’s what Jesus said to his followers on the day before his death. That sort of obedience “changes the script” even in disruptive ways, as we see when Paul and his group act on behalf of an enslaved girl. How would life be different if we were solely attuned to God’s will in every situation without equivocation. May 29, 2022

“Stir the Pot” Jesus saw the needs that had been ignored by others, and when the moment was right he led them to salvation. Whether we’re at home or away, we will see when the spiritually troubled waters provide an open act. May 22, 2022

“Re-Define ‘Sacred’” Something that’s sacred to you may not always be what gives the most fulness of life to another. God’s spirit can call us to get past our “sacred cows” and that happened to the early church, too. May 15, 2022

“Let Your Works Testify” We tend to think about miracles in the early church as the actions that convinced people about God’s love and power. But there were also people like Tabitha whose acts of charity testified to God. How might we celebrate those quotidian acts and how might we increase them? When do we need to “use our words” too? Happy Mother’s Day May 8, 2022

“Practice Joy in All Times” The biblical guidance to be joyful in all circumstances is very odd. It doesn’t sound realistic or respectful of human emotions. But it is grounded in a very big picture, the biggest possible, which is that God’s goodness wins. May 1, 2022

“Share Others’ Joy” The three parables in Luke 15 (lost sheep, lost coin, lost or prodigal brother/son) all emphasize God’s joy should be ours too, whenever anyone turns to God or turns back to God. What do we have to overcome, to be joyful for others? How can god help with that? April 24, 2022

“Rejoice in God’s Mercy” Again and again the Hebrew scriptures emphasized God’s mercy. Now that the greatest manifestation of that mercy has been shown on Easter day, are you prepared to be joyful? What about being joyful not just for yourself but for everyone else who can hear about this news? (Let go of your Ninevahs!)April 17, 2020 Easter

“Trust God” Passover instructions were all about being ready to let go of everything familiar and obey God on short notice. It was about a people trusting God. And in the Luke account of the Last Supper, Jesus’s trust in God can be heard as he says he won’t eat again until God’s ultimate Passover intentions are accomplished in God’s reign. April 14, 2022 Maundy Thursday

“Celebrate the Sacred” When we recognize the time of God’s visitation, it’s as if all of creation sees it with us. We want to mark the place. But for Christians, every place is sacred when we understand how God’s Spirit has visited us in Christ. April 10, 2022 Palm Sunday

“Between Two Gardens” Rev. James Garrett was our guest minister this Sunday. He spoke on Psalm 126 and Hebrews 4 and the promises and hopes Jesus provides. We can sing His praise as He listens and calms our wounded hearts with the healing balms of His Word. April 3, 2022

“Unplug” People need stimuli, and unplugging from some of them just makes us more available to others. Many schools now have special rooms where a child who’s over-stimulated in one way can find a variety of other ways to be stimulated instead. What are we missing in our relationship with God when we fail to learn this lesson? March 27 , 2022

“Embrace Simplicity” Simplicity isn’t just about having only those clothes in your closet that bring you joy (a self-help approach), but rather about a focus on how you will live out God’s call on your life. The answer to that may not feel simple, for instant your focus might be on raising a family and that’s not simple. When we lack focus, we end up giving God just the leftovers; how can we adjust course? March 20, 2022

“Pray and Listen” All of the classic spiritual disciplines reflect a desire for experiencing ore of God, and in that sense they are all forms of prayer and help to intensify or focus our prayers. God desires that intimacy and wants to guide us if we’ll listen. March 13, 2022

“Not What You Were Expecting” We welcomed Rev. Jay T. Silence, minister of First Presbyterian Church in Frankfort, KY to lead our worship service for our pulpit exchange Sunday. March 6,2022

“Support Those Who Depart” There is a need for a blessing at transitional times. A good blessing is a reminder of an enduring connection of love along with an assurance of God’s ongoing work in one’s life. February 27, 2022

“The Ministry of Reconciliation” What is the most powerful way to “uplift those in need”? Live up to the ministry of reconciliation! Listen to learn about the steps to take! February 20, 2022

“Feast and Listen” Ever seen a fight break out in an ice cream parlor? Me neither. Mealtime fellowship opens up possibilities for human connection. Abundance of food reminds us of God’s abundant grace. February 13, 2022

“Gather Across Differences” Our founding vision is of unity, but with all our differences it’s a “some assembly required” kind of situation! February 6, 2022.

“Honor the Body” Just as water is necessary for the survival of the human body, the life, health, and work of the church as the body of Christ depend on the movement and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Poured out upon the church (collectively) and each of its members (individually) through the Sacrament of Baptism, the Spirit fills us with God’s power, love, and grace. We might think of our participation in church, our self-care, and our service to others as “honoring the bodies” made sacred by God. January 30, 2022

“Die and Rise” This is the paradox of the gospel of Jesus Christ: God calls forth wisdom from foolishness, strength from weakness, new life from the dust of death. Baptism immerses us in this holy mystery as we pass through the waters, dying and rising with Christ. We share in Christ’s crucifixion so that the oppressive powers of sin and death may be uprooted and cut off. We share in Christ’s resurrection so that the liberating, life-giving power of God may take root and grow. January 23. 2021

“Cross the Divide” God makes a way where there is no way. God breaks through boundaries and barriers, demonstrating that nothing can separate us from the love the Lord. (See Romans 8:31-39.) God reaches across the great divide. And this is how Christians have come to understand the Sacrament of Baptism. Baptism is our passage through the waters, following Christ, the liberator who leads us from slavery to freedom. The experience makes us a people, set apart for a holy purpose, not just a random cluster of persons. January 16,2022

“Remember Your Baptism” Like an icon in prose, the baptism of Jesus paints of the triune God in action. We hear the voice and love of God the Father, claiming Jesus, who receives the Holy Spirit. In one moment we can see unity and diversity, revelation and mystery, gathering and sending, giving (the Spirit) and receiving (the Son) – all bathed in love. Having participated in baptism ourselves, we in our actions can “remember” it by seeking to live as children of a new creation, as citizens of a transforming realm, as living letters already bearing the postmark of heaven. January 9, 2022

“If I Were God” Would you or I be able to show the kind of grace, love and mercy that God does? Guest preacher Jack Brewer casts doubt on that! January 2, 2022

To watch videos of other recent worship services, click the appropriate link in one of the boxes below.  Click the +  icon to expand the list under any heading.